Young Crest defensive line has jelled into strong unit

Crest's front line of Chris Willis (90), Jared Brooks (8) and Omar Brooks (1) has been one of the cornerstones of the Chargers' defensive improvement over the course of the 2013 football season.

By Clark Leonard

Published: Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 06:19 PM.

Crest’s coaches didn’t always plan on having their starting defensive linemen in their current positions.

But some fierce competition helped the coaching staff realize the best line for a 3-4 scheme would be juniors Omar Brooks and Jared Brooks, plus sophomore Chris Willis. The results speak for themselves, with the Chargers on a 13-game winning streak heading into Friday’s 7:30 p.m. 3AA West final against Northern Guilford at Sid Bryson Stadium.

All three players were originally going to be defensive ends this season, but Willis “forced my hand,” Crest defensive line coach Andy Roberts said. The sophomore needed to be on the field, so Jared Brooks — known as “Sticks” to teammates — moved to nose guard. The transition has seen its ups and downs, but Roberts said Jared Brooks (6-3, 235) embraced his new position.

“He bought in,” Roberts said. “He learned everything new.”

Jared Brooks said the position change was tough at first, but he’s glad to see how it’s turned out.

Crest’s coaches didn’t always plan on having their starting defensive linemen in their current positions.

But some fierce competition helped the coaching staff realize the best line for a 3-4 scheme would be juniors Omar Brooks and Jared Brooks, plus sophomore Chris Willis. The results speak for themselves, with the Chargers on a 13-game winning streak heading into Friday’s 7:30 p.m. 3AA West final against Northern Guilford at Sid Bryson Stadium.

All three players were originally going to be defensive ends this season, but Willis “forced my hand,” Crest defensive line coach Andy Roberts said. The sophomore needed to be on the field, so Jared Brooks — known as “Sticks” to teammates — moved to nose guard. The transition has seen its ups and downs, but Roberts said Jared Brooks (6-3, 235) embraced his new position.

“He bought in,” Roberts said. “He learned everything new.”

Jared Brooks said the position change was tough at first, but he’s glad to see how it’s turned out.

Two words — “next play,” which Omar Brooks says to encourage teammates after a tough play — probably speak the most about the junior standout’s growth, according to Roberts.

“He has grown up a lot,” Roberts said. “He’s bought into the team concept.”

Willis (6-2, 220) calls the defensive line “a brotherhood.” He said it’s about having fun on the field, being unselfish and not arguing. Instead of using comparisons with each other for gamesmanship, Willis uses it as fuel.

“It’s just a motivator for me to keep getting better,” Willis said.

One of the best indicators of how hungry this group is came when Willis was so sick he could barely talk before the Ashbrook game. During the school day, Roberts suggested he should be at home because he wasn’t feeling well.

“I’m not missing this game,” Willis told Roberts.

Omar Brooks is grateful to see the results from effort put in since summer workouts.

“We worked hard from the beginning,” Omar Brooks said.

For Roberts, it’s been as enjoyable a group as he’s worked with in 14 years of coaching.

“They’ve worked hard,” Roberts said. “They have good attitudes. They’re coachable. Everybody looks to these guys.”